Man United suffer their fourth consecutive defeat as they slump to a 2-0 loss away at Stoke City.

It was all Stoke in the first half as they dominated possession and played with intent, continuously playing the ball into the forwards and putting Man United on the back foot.

Stoke’s Bojan opened the scoring in the 19th minute after a poor back pass from Memphis fell to Glen Johnson. The former Liverpool right back pulled a cross back to Bojan near the penalty spot who slotted the ball past David de Gea.

The Potters doubled their lead just 7 minutes later. A Bojan free kick was deflected by the Man United wall and the loose ball fell to Arnautovic who drilled the ball into the United goal from outside the box.

In the 36th minute, Arnautovic had a golden chance to put Stoke 3-0 up when he found himself one-on-one with David de Gea but he dragged his shot just wide of the post.

The half time break saw the introduction of Man United’s Wayne Rooney. The substitution seemed to lift United and give them a little more bite but they could only manage one real goal scoring opportunity.

In the 64th minute, Fellaini had a chance to pull a goal back for the visitors. From the right hand side of the Stoke box, Wayne Rooney hit a ball across the 6 yard box which fell to the Belgian’s feet. With only the keeper to beat, his first time shot was too weak and Jack Butland was able to get down and gather the ball easily.

United manager Louis van Gaal cannot watch as his team are beaten 2-0 by Stoke (Source: The Guardian)

Man United are now without a win in 5 Premier League games and the loss against Stoke means that the red devils slip down to 6th in the league. They could end the day in 7th if Watford win away at Chelsea this afternoon.

Man United slip to 6th in the Premier League (Source: BBC Football)

What did you think about the game? Did the players give all they had to relieve the pressure on Louis van Gaal? Were Stoke simply too good? We would love to hear your thoughts in the comments sections below.

You can also watch the Man United V West Ham match reaction on The United Stand’s YouTube channel by clicking here. Or by watching below.

Louis van Gaal bows to player pressure in a bid to save his job as Man United manager.

At the start of this week a meeting was held between United boss, Louis van Gaal and senior players such as club captain Wayne Rooney, Michael Carrick, Chris Smalling and Juan Mata.

Although the boss still has the full support of his players, he has realised that a change is desperately needed after a string of poor performances and results have led to him being in danger of losing his job.

In an attempt to turn things around, Louis van Gaal had allowed the players to set their own Christmas training schedule. Instead of the players attending the Carrington training base between 1pm and 5pm as planned, the players trained in the morning and spent the afternoon with their families.

Strict meal conditions and meal times have also been relaxed, allowing players to sit where they like and eat at times that suit them.

It is also understood that the players are not about to throw the towel in against Stoke in a bid to have the manager sacked, something we have seen recently at Chelsea. The players are thought to be impressed with the way van Gaal has handled himself amidst all the talk in the media regarding his future.

The players were also impressed with van Gaal’s Christmas speech and admired his decision to leave the pre-match press conference on Wednesday.

It’s a different story with the fans though with the majority not happy with the manager and desperately seeking a replacement.

If you would like to read the full article, please visit the Daily Mail website here.

It’s all good relaxing a few rules at the training ground to raise a little morale, but will these changes have any affect on how the players perform on the pitch? After all, it is on the pitch that games are won and points obtained. We would love to hear what you think. Please feel free to leave your comments below.

Man United slip out of top four after suffering second consecutive league defeat at the hands of Norwich City.

Despite a positive start from Man United, controlling the game, attacking; they were once again unable to come away with three points thanks to goals from Norwich’s Cameron Jerome and Alex Tettey, either side of the break.

The first goal came in the 37th minute following a Norwich counter attack. Jerome shook off advances from Michael Carrick in the United box and fired home past David de Gea to put the Canaries 1-0 up.

Shortly after the break, following a mix-up in the United midfield, Tettey doubled the visitor’s lead after driving the ball into the bottom left corner leaving David de Gea stood rooted to the ground.

Alex Tettey strikes to double the visitors lead against Man United (Source: Mirror)

Man United fought back and found their way back into the game on the 65th minute when an Ashley Young cross fell to Anthony Martial in the box. The French international battled past two Norwich defenders to power the ball into the roof of the net. But the goal wasn’t enough to inspire Man United to stage a fantastic come back.

During the first half, United had several attempts at taking the lead. However, none of them really caused Norwich any problems.

Captain Wayne Rooney did, however, have a goal disallowed in the 9th minute due to the flag being raised signalling that Fellaini, who played the ball to Rooney, was offside.

In the 23rd minute, Rooney played a one-two with Juan Mata and on the return pass the Man United veteran fired a shot at the Norwich goal but it was deflected out for a corner.

Anthony Martial pulls one back for Man United (Source: Mirror)

Late on in the second half both teams had chances to score. Man United could have equalised in the 78th minute if not for a Mata free kick being saved by Rudd and in the 83rd minute Norwich had a shot at goal bringing a save out of de Gea who was at full stretch.

Man United have now only won two out of their last eight league games allowing the teams above them to pull away and teams below to catch up.

These are worrying times not just for the fans but also for the club. If thing’s don’t improve, Man United may not only miss out on a title challenge, but also on a top four Champions League spot.

The loss means that Man United slip down to fifth with Tottenham Hotspur moving up into fourth.

Man United drop to 5th after loss at home to Norwich (Source: BBC Football)

What did you think of the game? Do you feel it’s time for the manager to move on? Let us know what you think in the comments below.

You can also watch the Man United V West Ham match reaction on The United Stand’s YouTube channel by clicking here. Or by watching below.

Man United suffer their second defeat in a week after losing away at lowly Bournemouth.

After their victory against Chelsea last week, Bournemouth were bullish about their chances against a misfiring Man United.

Their confidence showed as they came at United and took the lead in the 2nd minute after a Stanislav corner caught the wind and ended up dropping into top corner at the back post.

Man United reacted positively by playing plenty of forward passes and creating chances. In the 24th minute they were rewarded for their efforts when Fellaini brought the scores level. Michael Carrick played a long ball over the top after spotting Memphis making a run behind the Bournemouth defence. The United number 7 chested the ball down but couldn’t get much power in his shot. The shot was saved by Boruc and Fellaini reacted quickest to score from the rebound.

Fellaini celebrates scoring Man United’s equaliser (Source: Mirror)

Bournemouth came out in the second half full of energy and fight and in the 54th minute took the lead again from another corner. This time it was a set piece straight off the training ground. The corner was hit hard across the ground toward the penalty spot and King ran out from the back post to hit the loose ball straight down the middle of the Man United goal, leaving David de Gea rooted to the ground.

The game was played at a high tempo throughout and both teams had great chances to score more goals.

Fellaini could have equalised for Man United in the 4th minute when he struck a volley in the box but it was straight at Boruc.

And Bournemouth could have went 2-0 up just before Man United equalised when Stanislas found himself one on one with de Gea, but the Bournemouth player couldn’t get his shot off before the United keeper came out and snatched the ball from Stanislas’ feet.

At 2-1 down, Man United had several more attempts on goal but, it was Bournemouth who had the better chances which fell to Murray. He had two shots in as many minutes from just six yards out with a gaping goal in front of him but he hit them both over the bar.

The game ended with a roar from the home fans as they celebrated beating Britain’s most successful football team a week after a victory against the current Premier League champions.

Man United on the other hand have now won only 2 of their last 7 Premier League games and appear to be heading down a slippery slope.

The loss means they remain fourth in the table with Arsenal and Leicester still to play with a chance to pull away.

Man United crash out of the UEFA Champions League after a dramatic game at Wolfsburg in which the hosts won 3-2.

Both teams played good attacking football for the majority of the game but it was Wolfsburg who were the more fortunate in front of goal.

Man United opened the scoring through Anthony Martial in the 11th minute. Daley Blind played a long pass with pin point accuracy to Juan Mata, the Spaniard then turned and played a quick through ball into the path of Anthony Martial. The United number 9 found himself one-on-one with Benaglio and cooly slotted the ball past him into the bottom right corner.

Anthony Martial celebrates putting Man United ahead (Source: Mirror)

The lead only lasted three minutes before Naldo hit a simple volley, from a Rodrigues free kick, past David de Gea at the front post.

Wolfsburg then went on to take the lead thanks to a Vieirinha goal in the 29th minute. The goal came about after some quick one-touch passing including a one-two between Draxler and Kruse. Draxler, on the return pass, selflessly squared the ball across the six-yard box to allow Vieirinha to slot past David de Gea.

On the stroke of half time Man United thought they had equalised when Jesse Lingard’s cross beat both sets of players, including Benaglio and bounced into the far bottom corner of the net, but the goal was ruled offside as Juan Mata was adjudged to be interfering with play.

Time was running out in the second half for Man United to get something and in the 82nd minute they were handed a lifeline in the form of a Guilavogui own-goal. Fellaini headed the ball down to the penalty spot from a corner and the bounce was misjudged by the Wolfsburg player who headed the ball backward, over his own keeper and into the back of the net.

As in the first half, United’s lead didn’t last long. Two minutes after the own-goal, Wolfsburg won a corner and Naldo beat the United defence to the ball and nodded it in at the back post.

Man United continued to push for an equalizer having shots saved or blocked in the dying minutes. Had they scored it would not have mattered as PSV Eindhoven beat CSKA Moscow in the other Group B match. CSKA took the lead in that game which at one point meant Man United would still quality despite being a goal down.

There are positives to take from the game with youngsters Varela and Borthwick-Jackson both playing very good games at a high level and Man United providing an attacking threat that has been missing for some time.

The loss means Man United drop out of the Champions League and into the Europa League. Wolfsburg and PSV Eindhoven progress to the last 16 of the Champions League.

Man United miss out on place in Champions League last 16 (Source: BBC)

What did you think of the game? Do you think it was a disgrace? Do you think we were unlucky? We would love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.

You can also watch the Wolfsburg V Man United match reaction on The United Stand’s YouTube channel by clicking here. Or by watching below.

Goals evade Man United once again as their game at home to West Ham finishes goalless. Their fifth goalless draw in nine games.

Man United started the first half at a high tempo. Attacking the West Ham defence and pressing high when off the ball.

In the first ten minutes the reds had several shots at West Hams goal. The best chances involved Marouane Fellaini. In the 5th minute, Fellaini found himself running at the West Ham defence with Lingard in a very good position to his left. Instead, Fellaini decided to go it alone and have a shot. The shot was weak and drifted wide of Adrian’s post.

Four minutes later Paddy McNair curled in a cross from the right finding Fellaini at the back post, but the Belgian’s header went just over the bar.

There was a scare for Man United in the 12th minute when a Daley Blind pass fell to Noble. Noble played a through ball to Victor Moses who was one-on-one with David de Gea. The United keeper read the situation well and came out quick to save with his feet, deflecting the ball out for a corner. Zarate then headed the resulting corner wide.

Man United were next to come close to breaking the deadlock. In the 16th minute, Jesse Lingard whipped the ball in from the left toward Fellaini, who then chested the ball down to Anthony Martial. The 20 year old then hit a volley which looked to be going in but Winston Reid was there to rescue West Ham with a much appreciated block.

Back down the other end West Ham hit the post twice in the space of a minute. At the midway point of the first half, Cresswell arrowed in a cross which bounced off the chest of David de Gea. Chris Smalling stretched out a leg in an attempt to clear the ball but he hit it into Zarate’s face and it ricocheted onto the post and out.

Seconds later West Ham’s Winston Reid headed a corner onto the post. Man United appeared to be hanging on by a thread.

The game settled slightly for the remainder of the second half with West Ham, on a break, managing a shot from Noble. But the veterans shot was never on target.

The start of the second half was similar to the first with Man United pushing forward looking for a scoring opportunity.

Only one came as a Jesse Lingard shot in the 50th minute went marginally over the West Ham goal.

Man United seemed to sit off a little as West Ham gained some momentum. In the 55th minute, Zarate made easy work of beating Varela down the left. The West Ham winger then cut in from the left and hit a shot from outside the box. The shot was on target but David de Gea got down and gathered the ball.

A few seconds later Antonio beat Darmian with a cross into Andy Carrol. The West Ham striker touched the ball into Zarate who looked like he was clear through to slot past David de Gea, but instead miscued his shot and dragged it across the goal and out for a goal kick.

Man United’s fans became restless and boo’s were heard from the Stretford End with chants of “Attack! Attack! Attack!”.

The players reacted to the crowd and for the last half an hour really put pressure on West Ham.

During that spell United managed an approximate 10 attempts on goal. The best of these fell to Fellaini, Martial and Lingard.

On the hour mark Anthony Martial went on a winding run across the edge of the West Ham box. Reaching the byline he played a diagonal ball back to Fellaini who managed to get a foot on it. Many fans behind the goal thought it was going in but Adrian got down quickly to palm the ball off the line.

In the 81st minute, Memphis did what Memphis does by running at the defenders and cutting in. The Dutchman then played a pass into Martial who’s first time shot skimmed the outside of Adrian’s left hand post.

A minute later Jesse Lingard raced onto a loose ball and struck a shot fractionally wide.

At the full time whistle both fans and players alike were frustrated. The fans were very vocal with boo’s echoing around Old Trafford. Something which is slowly becoming commonplace.

One thing Man United can take from this match is that there was an increased amount of attacking football. Something fans have been crying out for. However, it means nothing if chances are not taken and games aren’t won.

United’s fourth draw in six Premier League games means they drop down to fourth in the table. The points United continue to drop could come back to haunt them later in the season.

Man United drop to fourth in the Premier League table after another goalless draw

What did you think of the game? Are you happy with the fact that they played with more attacking intent? Do you think Man United are heading in the right direction? We would love to know your thoughts in the comments below.

You can also watch the Man United V West Ham match reaction on The United Stand’s YouTube channel by clicking here. Or by watching below.

Man United have reportedly joined Barcelona, Arsenal and Chelsea in the race to sign Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

The Borussia Dortmund striker has so far scored 22 goals in 18 games this season and is currently rated at £42m.

Louis van Gaal is keen to win the race for Aubameyang’s signature with Man United desperately needing a proven and prolific goal scorer in their ranks.

van Gaal has apparently had Aubameyang scouted several times this season and is ready to make his move.

Despite the strikers contract not due to expire until 2020, it is thought van Gaal is considering launching a bid in January.

As well as being a persistent goal scorer, Aubameyang also has bags of pace; something else Man United are lacking in their attack. He can also play as a winger and this will suit Louis van Gaal down to a tee as it is no secret he likes versatile players.

It is unlikely, though, that after the departure of Lewandowski to Bayern, Dortmund would be willing to allow Aubameyang to leave. However, should he continue to score goals at the rate he is, it would be hard for the Bundesliga giants to turn down a big money offer in the summer.

What do you think of Aubameyang? Would you like to see him in a United shirt? He has continued to improve over the last three seasons and only appears to be getting better. We would love to hear your thoughts. Please let us know in the comments below.

If you would like to read the full article please do so by visiting the Mirror website here.

Louis van Gaal comes under fire again from another ex-Man United player.

In recent weeks Man United boss Louis van Gaal has come under fire from many critics including former Man United players. Roy Keane, Paul Scholes and Rio Ferdinand have all voiced their concerns on the current state of affairs at the club they once played for.

The latest Louis van Gaal-bashing comes from former Man United and England player Paul Parker. He had this to say:

When Louis van Gaal arrived at United, I thought he too would be flexible. But we now have a situation where there are a lot of discontented players and we have to question why they are playing badly.

I look at Anthony Martial and worry for him. He looks like a boy who doesn’t smile anymore. He doesn’t look like he’s enjoying himself. The form Memphis Depay is showing hasn’t just happened because he’s playing in the Premier League. That boy probably feels like a scapegoat.

Ander Herrera is hugely popular with the fans because he makes things happen. Everyone loves to see players like that, but he’s barely playing and is probably unsettled. These players need freedom.

Van Gaal puts the fear of God into players. It has to be his way. He selfishly manages the team. And no one enjoys it. He may be a successful manager, but he must learn – even at his age – to become a good man manager.

At the moment we have to say he’s not man managing that team. All those players he’s got are not bad players, and they’ve not played negative football all their lives. He’s being incredibly stubborn.

Under Van Gaal, every player who has had one bad game has been left out – except for Wayne Rooney.

He’s got to learn not to bear grudges. A player knows when they mistake, what they need is arm around them, not exclusion. What message is that sending out to the rest, other than: ‘that could be me’?

Criticisms aimed at Louis van Gaal are gathering pace and that can be dangerous to the club. If you hear something so much you start to believe it. The last thing Louis van Gaal needs is to lose the faith of his players.

What do you think of Paul Parker’s comments? Do you agree? Do you think players are afraid to express themselves the way they did with their former clubs? The way they did that attracted Louis van Gaal to them in the first place? Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

If you would like to read the full article, please visit the Telegraph website by clicking here.

Man United miss out on going top of the Premier League after managing only a draw away at Leicester City.

For the majority of the first half Leicester moved the ball around quickly and looked the more likely team to score, despite Man United having the bigger share of possession.

The first attempt on goal came from the home team in the 13th minute when a misplaced pass from Michael Carrick fell to Jamie Vardy who laid the ball to Kante. Kante hit a shot but was quickly closed down and the shot deflected out for a corner.

In the 17th minute Wayne Rooney had a chance with a volley near the edge of the box but was unable to connect cleanly, leaving an easy save for Kasper Schmeichel.

Leicester broke the deadlock mid way through the second half and it was Jamie Vardy who put the foxes ahead. Fuchs spotted Vardy making a run and played a perfectly timed, long range through ball into the strikers path. Making no mistake Vardy hit the ball across the face of the goal, beating David de Gea and finding the back of the net. This goal saw Jamie Vardy break Ruud van Nistlerooy’s record of scoring in ten consecutive Premier League games.

Okazaki almost put Leicester two up just seven minutes later. He played a quick one-two with Mahrez, but saw his shot saved excellently by de Gea.

United had a couple of attempts on goal either side of the Okazaki chance with the first coming from Bastian Schweinsteiger, however the German dragged his long range shot wide. Ten minutes later it was Wayne Rooney who had a go with a header from a United corner, but it didn’t trouble the Leicester keeper.

On the stroke of half time Man United found an equaliser when Bastian Schweinsteiger won a man to man battle with Okazaki to head home from a corner.

Early in the second half it was Man United who had the first try at going ahead. Bastian Schweinsteiger again winning a header, this time from an Ashley Young free kick, but the header lacked direction and was easy for Schmeichel.

Mid way through the second half Leicester had a couple of chances. The first came from a counter attack. Mahrez made easy work of a long run down Leicester’s right wing and picked out Ulloa who hit a shot but David de Gea was out quick and saved with his feet.

Ulloa found himself with another shooting opportunity about seven minutes later but was unable to catch the ball properly, hitting it high and wide.

Man United started to dominate possession more as the game entered the later stages but they were only able to create a few chances. The best of these fell to Mata in the 79th minute. He brought down a cross from Memphis and turned to shoot but the shot cannoned off a defender and went out for a corner.

Five minutes later Memphis also had a good chance but slightly over hit his first touch and the shot that followed was blocked.

Man United had once more chance to snatch the three points in injury time when Darmian picked up a loose ball. Frustratingly, for him and the travelling fans, he couldn’t hit the target.

The draw means Man United drop to third in the Premier League, one point behind Manchester City and Leicester who sit first and second respectively.

Man United sit third after the draw at Leicester City (Source: BBC Football)

What did you think of the game? Are you growing frustrated with the style of play and lack of goals? We would love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.

You can also watch the Watford V Man United match reaction on The United Stand’s YouTube channel by clicking here. Or by watching below.

Fans make themselves heard with boos at the final whistle, as a limp Man United fail to win and secure last 16 qualification.

Before the game started it was expected that Man United, at home, would see off PSV Eindhoven and secure a place in the last 16 of the Champions League. Despite several attempts at goal in both halves, it just wasn’t to be.

United started the game with an attacking mentality. They moved the ball around quickly and got plenty of balls into the box.

Their first chance came in the 6th minute when Jesse Lingard squared the ball into Bastian Schweinsteiger. The German international shot with his left foot but it lacked any power and Zoet was able to gather the ball easily.

It was almost 1-0 to the home side in the 31st minute when Morgan Schneiderlin got on the end of a corner with a slight touch but the PSV keeper got down and saved on the line.

During the next 5 minutes PSV Eindhoven had a couple of attempts of their own. The first coming from Hendrix. He found a gap between Schweinsteiger and Schneiderlin and placed a curling shot to David de Gea’s far post but the United keeper got across quickly to save.

David de Gea at full stretch to prevent Hendrix from scoring (Source: Guardian)

Shortly afterward Hector Moreno headed just over from a PSV corner.

In the 37th minute Man United had two quick chances with shots from Martial and Lingard both being saved, fairly easily, by Zoet.

Just before the half time whistle Anthony Martial almost gave United some breathing space. Memphis played a ball into Martial’s path on the left hand side of the box and the Frenchman hit a low left-footed drive down at the near post but Zoet, again, got down quickly to put the ball around the post.

At the start of the second half Man United seemed to be almost at full throttle. Three shots at goal in as many minutes left many fans feeling as though a goal was coming.

In the 46th minute Schneiderlin got his head on the end of a corner but couldn’t keep it on target.

A minute later Anthony Martial whipped in a cross from the right wing finding Lingard at the near post. Lingard’s header went narrowly wide of Zoet’s far post.

Lingard and Rooney rue missed chance (Source: Guardian)

Then in the 49th minute Memphis cut in from the left and hit a right footed shot. The shot, however, lacked power and Zoet was able to get down and smother the ball.

It was at this point that Man United appeared to switch off and PSV Eindhoven took advantage of this and created several chances to score.

In the 53rd minute, de Jong beat Daley Blind just inside the United box but dragged his left-footed shot well wide.

Propper then tried in the 62nd minute with a long range half-volley after completing three kick-ups while running, but could only hit his shot directly at David de Gea.

PSV Eindhoven continued to create chances, despite United’s possession, with the best chance coming from a PSV break which saw Locadia come close to giving the visitors the lead. Unfortunately for him he couldn’t control his shot, pulling it wide.

Man United had one more good chance to seal a win and that was in the 73rd minute; Ashley Young pulled a right footed cross back into the path of Jesse Lingard, but he was leaning back and his first time shot sailed over the bar.

The full time whistle brought an end to yet another frustrating goalless draw. The United fans made their frustrations heard by booing as the players left the field.

The draw means Man United drop to second place in Group B. They play their final group stage match away at VfL Wolfsburg from which they will need a win to qualify for the last 16 as PSV are likely to beat CSKA who are already out.

Man United drop to second in Group B (Source: BBC Football)

What did you think of the game? We would love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.

You can also watch the Man United V PSV Eindhoven match reaction on The United Stand’s YouTube channel by clicking here. Or by watching below.